Tourists are thronging the Idukki dam which has been opened for the public in connection with Onam and Tourist Week celebrations.
On an average, 1,000 people visit the dam and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has arranged two speed boats for a cruise on the reservoir, which take the visitors to six km so that they can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary.
The dam is open for the public only on festival seasons and special occasions. “This time, there is comparatively a large turnout with families preferring to have a boat cruse on the reservoir,” said an official of the Dam monitoring Cell.
“The visitors can choose for a cruise in the Kulamavu dam direction or the Idukki dam area. The 15-minute journey costs Rs.350. However, most of the tourists prefer a cruise to the dam area. The entrance fee per person is Rs.15, which is Rs.5 for a child.”
Visitors to Munnar and Thekkady prefer to halt here to see the dam. A family of four from Thrissur after visiting Munnar stayed at a hotel here to see the dam. “It was a long planned visit to the dam area as it opens only on festival seasons,” said Thomas George, who along with his wife and two children visited the dam on Wednesday.
The police have tightened security at the dam and visitors will have to go through security checks.
The dam was opened for tourists on September 1 and will be open for the public till September 25. There is also a plan by the District Tourism Promotion Council to arrange an one-day tour programme to the dam for tourists from Munnar and Thekkady.
The majority of the tourists visiting the dam are from northern Kerala and the rush is expected to increase this week as educational institutions are closed for the Onam vacation.
